Duck and goose counts

[jblabsnduck]

Breeding duck numbers decline, Canada geese increase (2006-06-27)

Minnesota's breeding duck populations declined for the second consecutive year, according to results of the annual May waterfowl survey released by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The state's estimated breeding duck population fell to 521,000, 18 percent lower than last year and 36 percent below the 10-year average. The long-term average for total duck abundance is 630,000 breeding birds. The Canada goose count increased 12 percent to 358,000. "These are disappointing numbers," said Dave Schad, director of the DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife. "The DNR and its partners have done an extraordinary amount of work, but there's clearly much more to do. The DNR will continue to work with conservation groups, landowners and federal agencies in a long-term effort to protect 2 million acres of habitat and boost the breeding duck population to 1 million birds."

The mallard breeding population was estimated at 161,000, 33 percent lower than last year. Mallard populations in Minnesota have averaged almost 331,000 over the past 10 years and the long-term average is about 224,000. This year's estimate is the lowest recorded since 1983, said Steve Cordts, DNR waterfowl specialist.

Blue-winged teal numbers decreased 11 percent from last year to 174,000, 27 percent below the 10-year average. Blue-winged teal counts are generally more variable than mallard counts because they migrate through the state later in some years. "This was an extremely early spring across the state, so most migrant ducks had passed through by the time the survey was completed, which could account for some of the decline," Cordts said.

The combined populations of other ducks, such as wood ducks, gadwalls and ring-necked ducks, decreased to 187,000, about 24 percent below the 10-year average but 5 percent above the long-term average. Only 8,300 scaup were counted - the lowest recorded since the survey began. "Very few scaup settle and breed in Minnesota, so this isn't a real concern," Cordts said. "However, I think it indicates just how early the spring was this year and that most migrant ducks had already moved through the state before the survey began."

Numbers of May ponds also declined by 12 percent and were 15 percent below the long-term average.

The DNR's duck plan was recently updated with a new long-term goal of restoring more than 2 million acres of wetland and grassland habitat in Minnesota.

"We have a plan that will move us in the right direction," Shad said. "We're building a new future for duck hunters with our many partners - including Ducks Unlimited, Delta Waterfowl, Isaac Walton League, Minnesota Conservation Federation, Minnesota Waterfowl Association and The Nature Conservancy. But there's no quick fix. Restoring 2 million acres of wetland and grassland habitat is an enormous challenge that requires long-term commitment."

Anecdotal reports from some managers across the state indicate fair numbers of duck and goose broods. "A good nesting season could offset the lower duck breeding population," Cordts said. "The DNR will wait until early August when additional data are available before announcing waterfowl hunting regulations for this coming fall."

Data on breeding duck populations across North America is not yet available, but preliminary reports suggest generally fair to good conditions in the Dakotas and improved conditions from last year across prairie Canada.

The breeding duck survey is conducted by a waterfowl biologist and conservation officer pilot who count waterfowl and wetlands along the same routes each year from a low-flying, single-engine airplane. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides ground crews that also count waterfowl along a portion of the survey routes to correct for birds missed by the aerial crew. The survey was designed to estimate breeding duck numbers in about 40 percent the state that includes much of the best remaining duck breeding habitat. The survey has been conducted each May since 1968.

CANADA GEESE

Since 2001, the DNR has conducted a helicopter survey of nesting Canada geese during April. This year's estimate was 358,000 Canada geese, 12 percent higher than last year. The survey, which includes most of the state except for the Twin Cities metropolitan area, counts Canada geese on randomly selected 160 acre plots located in prairie, transition and forested areas.

"In general, the results show that 80 percent of the breeding geese occur in the prairie and transition area, excluding geese that breed in the seven-county metro area," said DNR goose specialist Steve Maxson. "Remaining geese breed in the forest region. Canada goose abundance is very high across the state and the survey suggests that the population may still be increasing slightly."

The report can be viewed at: www.dnr.state.mn.us

Not to start a peeing war here but how do you guys that backed the 4 bird limit( that was going to help the local breeding population and protect the local ducks)feel about the number decline for the second year?????

Canada is having one heck of a breeding season. I have heard reports from guys that have said they haven't seen so many ducks up there in years. Ducks are all over up there.

But when the migration kicks in (non local birds) we will still only be shooting 4 birds.

Good thing we have all those guys in office who can't pass the dedicated funding bill to help take care of this problem.

[Mark Christianson]

Argh, that report is just dismal.

More time in the archery stand again this year for me.

Oh yea, and I will still support a 4 bird limit.

I never shot more than 3 birds in an outing last year, and based on this info it'll be a lot of the same again.

Man I miss the ducks.

[eyehead]

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Man I miss the ducks.

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amen biglakeba$$

33% decline for Mallards that sucks

[Quackaddict9]

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33% decline for Mallards that sucks

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cant get all the counts of breeding mallards on each pond, the DNR does specific areas and dont do counts in city limits at lakes. The pond/water numbers went up so there is more than that. well if that is the case, there'll be ducks to shoot anyways.

[kc0myy]

What really sucks is you guys are older then me (18 years old). You had good duck hunting 10+ years ago. To me if I get 2 ducks in a moring thats good (helps if you can shoot the ducks. I am a bad shot when comes to ducks lol). but I am trying to find spots to put up wood ducks houses. Later take care.

[Riverratpete]

After hunting Ducks, Grouse and Deer in this state for at least 20 someodd years I don't put a whole lot of credence to these "Production Reports"...too many variables, things we/they cannnot control or see while doing these surveys. Believe what you will, but we'll see in the fall flights where their at. For the past few years there have been flights of epic proportion..just not in Minnesota. Bottom line is you have to be at the right place at the right time and be willing/able to put in your time. Just my 2 cents but I'm already getting pumped up for hunting season again!

[eyehead]

Hey kc0myy I'm only 22 and I don't know what the 0ld timers are talking about when there were all these ducks. I hope some day I find out

[jlm]

I agree, the numbers do not always tell the story. Try flying around and counting ducks in specific areas..not easy. If you are in the right spot at the right time, you will have a great hunt. Good luck all! PS: I have never seen so many nesting ducks in my life as this Spring...I guess I have a bone to pick with the DNR!

[ironman]

My personal observations:

In the metro...lots of mallards. Just look at Calhoun..they are everywhere. However...just got back from the cabin up by Brainerd. lots of small waterholes with no ducks. Would have liked to have seen a little more than I did. I do have a hen with about 6 chicks right behind our cabin making residence. We inadvertantly spooked her today and she did the "chase me I've got a broken wing" trick. We went the opposite way and let her come back. Oooo the season is getting closer.

[Sartell Angler]

looking at a national level (what really matters as far as season frameworks are concerned) I am quite confidant that we will have a LIBERAL framework once again...

However, considering our dismal reports here in MN and given the fact that MN is trying to set the stage for less liberal frameworks within our flyway, I am predicting a 60 day season with a limit of 4 birds.

60/4 in '06

SA/wdw

[Quackaddict9]

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I am predicting a 60 day season with a limit of 4 birds.

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it is a 60 day 4 duck limit season.

[Sartell Angler]

so it has been announced already then? I didn't think the frameworks came out this early...

SA/wdw

[ironman]

I got some news this weekend that actually could bode well for MN hunters if the weather pattern holds. A guy I worked with is from ND and he said that most the potholes are all dried up and they havn't had rain for a really long time. Just me watching the weather and the rain that they have had has swung through the north eastern part of the state. So if it holds when the birds come down they'll have to fly through all of our water...right? I hope anyways. Wishfull thinking anyways..but I'll take what I can get.

[Ely Lake Expert]

That sucks that the reports are bad, but I am not sure I agree with it either. This will be my 11th year of duck hunting ( I am not real old either, just started when I was 12) and I have seen more mallards and woodies so far this year where I hunt than I have ever seen before. Especially the babies, the are everywhere. So hopefully it will be good hunting this fall.

[Cootz]

I now live in the metro area and was born around the time man walked on the moon. Now all you twenty somethings and teen grinders close your eyes and envision this after reading. It's about 8:30 in the morning and the ice is building on the dekes. As you got out in the morning on Lake of the Woods you, I really mean grandpa and dad, had to break ice close to shore and shove the sheets out of the way to make room to set up. Winds are gusting from 10-25 mph out of the NW, waves big enough keeping most of the birds out of the middle of the lake. Your cheeks are starting to numb. All morning flocks of 10-50 bills are buzzing the decoys trying to find someplace out of the wind. Some back and forth numerous times without you shooting because you KNOW they are going to land the next time around. Now in the distance you see the mother load. Has to be fresh birds from up north. Haven't yet seen "the flock" of the season. Around 150-200 birds. Dads reminding you to get down and over and over quietly says "keep your head down. Wait, wait, let 'em come back. Nope, not close enough." As your head is down you can hear their wings moving through the air as they pass over head. And that's all you hear now besides Grandpa making duck noses with his nose and mouth. You've forgotten how cold you were now and the only thing aching is your finger to take the trigger off and start shooting. Seems like it's been like ten minutes since you first saw the birds. You cock your head and take a peak to see where they are and all you see is them flying directly away. You heart sinks at the sight and that's when grandpa gives one more old fashioned come back call and they bank back. Now your hearts back to racing again. You're shaking so bad now it's like the "thirty pointer" was standing right in front of you. Grandpa hollers now! Dad on the left with his double takes one down and grandpa on the right got two in the water with his 1100. And then there's you. You know you ejected three shells because the gun is empty but you can't believe you didn't drop a single duck. You ask both dad and grandpa how far they led the ducks they shot. Both give their replies and you said you thought that is what you did. They both shrug and say maybe more practice and better luck next time. Then you see the grin on grandpa's face and you ask what's so funny. You feel a little bad because how could you miss ALL OF THOSE BIRDS!? He bends over and picks up three unspent #6 .20's. End of story.

I'll never forget it. Maybe someday everyone can have a hunt like that.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

lol that story reminds me of a time fall of 95 or maybe 96? i cant remember but anyways in western minnesota there was a lot of flooded standing corn during peak migration and day after day i was 1 hour late for school because dad and grandpa kept taking me out to stand in corn a little shorter than my eyes. a couple times there were so many ducks in the corn that they would actually swim right past you in the next row over. one of the most vivid memories of that particular run of that season is when i pulled up to shoot a nice fat cornfed drake as he set his wings and click went the trigger of the d.u. model 1300 youth 20 ga. so i pumped and pulled the trigger again thinking maybe a shell got wet or something and swung on that mallards even fatter buddy. click again. dang i forgot to load my gun. and as i stood there fumbling in the chest pocket of my waders for those stupid yellow shells i witnessed what had to be 20,000 mallards follow those two fat drakes right into the opening in that cornfield. needless to say i was to dumbstruck to load my gun at that point. oh well we shot so many ducks that season im pretty sure we had duck every night for 4 weeks straight. grilled duck, duck roast, duck sausage, duck jerky, fried duck, pressure cooked duck. man by the time football season was over all i wanted was a deer steak!